I first decided I wanted to visit Brittany almost a decade before I did. I was in Hong Kong—which is surprising, I guess—but I was with a Breton, eating crêpes no less.
“Technically,” my charming companion told me, “it’s a galette, since it’s savory. But not to worry—you can sample plenty of both when you finally get to Bretagne.”
If I’m honest, this particular person was instrumental in helping me plan out my Brittany road trip itinerary. I chatted with him many times before my trip, obviously, but was also in an Instagram DM with him while I was on the ground exploring. So, without naming him (he’s shy), I do want to start by acknowledging the role he played.
Where to Base Yourself in Brittany
There are Brittany hotels in basically every city on the peninsula, from Dinan in the center, to Concarneau and Pont-Aven in the far west, to Quiberon in the south. And yet, as I researched and planned my own trip, I decided it would be most advantageous to base myself in Saint-Malo, located in the far eastern part of Brittany. This might seem counterintuitive (especially considering how simple the hotel I stayed at is), but allow me to explain myself.
I acknowledge that staying so far east will necessitate longer drives, particularly if you only have a day or two to explore Brittany. At the same time, staying in Saint-Malo (or even Rennes, though I don’t find that city very charming) has the advantage of situating you as close to much of Normandy as you are to Brittany. As a result, it’s a “two birds, one stone” situation, which I always seek out when traveling.
Places to Visit in Brittany
Saint-Malo
Saint-Malo is the easternmost major destination in Brittany, so even if you don’t stay there like I did, it’s likely that you’ll visit. Like Normandy’s Mont Saint-Michel, Saint-Malo is an island citadel, although unlike its further east counterpart it’s not nearly as crowded or popular. Walk along the Ramparts and take in the sea breeze, to the National Fort (at low tide) to take in a view or sit down at Cafe de l’Ouest for some out-of-this-world moules marinières.
Dinan
Heading westward from Saint-Malo, only a few of the most popular things to do in Brittany are found in Dinan, if I’m honest. Namely, traipsing along Rue du Jeruzal beneath its half-timbered houses, and admiring reflections of the Port of Dinan in the waters of the Rance River. Still, I find that it’s a great first stop on your Brittany road trip, if only because of how completely quiet it is in the morning.
Locronan
The mountain village of Lacronan, by contrast, is generally pretty heavily regarded, on account of its well-preserved traditional Breton houses. It’s certainly charming, though it is slightly out of the way—well, at least the way I went. After finishing up in Dinan, I headed up to the Cap Fréhel Lighthouse and then drove along the northern coast of the peninsula for most of my westward journey.
Concarneau
There’s also the fact that Lacronan is more or less on the way to Concarneau, which is not only the furthest west point of this Brittany itinerary, but probably the single most impressive. Like Saint-Malo, it’s a citadel surrounded on almost all sides by water, but to me it’s even more beautiful, I suppose because the on-shore portion of the town is very scenic as well.
Pont-Aven
Pont-Aven, to be sure, is not very far from Concarneau, and according to the wife of my friend from the intro is the most beautiful village in France. I’m not sure if I’d go that far—there are many, many beautiful cities and towns in France—but it definitely looks like something out of a painting. Certainly, I ended up preferring it to the other places I stopped back en route to Saint-Malo, namely Quiberon and Carnac.
How Long Do You Need in Brittany?
Brittany is much, much larger than it looks. Although I was there for parts of four days, and had a car, I felt like I had to skip over vast swathes of it. As a result, my general advice is to spend as long in Brittany as you possibly can. If you plan to take a dedicated Brittany trip—in other words, if it won’t be part of a more sweeping France itinerary—I’d honestly recommend spending up to a week in Brittany.
On the other hand, the subject of how many days in Brittany you need necessarily becomes smaller if you plan to explore the rest of France. On my recently three-week trip to France, I actually split the four days I just mentioned between Brittany and nearby Normandy. Which, on paper, looks like a generous allotment, but actually felt rushed. Again, spend as long here as you can. You won’t regret it!
Other FAQ About Visiting Brittany
What is the best month to visit Brittany?
Brittany is a 365-day per year destination, though like most of France, some times are better than others. If you want to maximize your chances of sunshine and warm weather, come during the month of July, though be warned that in recent years, Brittany has felt downright hot in summer. I also like “shoulder” months like May and September, which bear some of the light and warmth of summer, but are cheaper and less crowded.
Is Brittany, France worth visiting?
Brittany is absolutely worth visiting—it’s among the most unique areas of France. With this being said, it’s a bit geographically disconnected from France’s tourist trail, so you do need to be intentional, even methodical about planning a trip there.
Which is nicer, Brittany or Normandy?
I would say that Brittany has a more unique cultural and architectural tapestry, while Normandy has a more eclectic variety of destinations clustered closer to one another. I’ve actually written an entire article on this topic, if you’re curious about my thoughts.
The Bottom Line
Although you’ll eat plenty of crêpes (and perhaps galettes) as you explore, my Brittany road trip itinerary is so much more than the region’s culinary heritage. It’s also more than all the amazing advice my local friend gave me—it’s the anxiety and fatigue of someone who had just begun what would be a very long time and who, if I’m honest, wasn’t in the best headspace for doing so. If anything, however, this makes what I’ve shared with you richer. And maybe, unless you’re one of those well-adjusted people who’s just happy all the time, even more relevant to the state you’ll be in as you travel. Need personalized help putting together your France trip? Commission a custom France itinerary today!
